Manhunt Continues For Suspect Who Shot State Trooper

PHILADELPHIA (CBS)–Chalk outlines and small pieces of crime tape still mark the spot where a state trooper was shot on east 24th and Market Street Wednesday afternoon, a neighborhood notorious for violence.

“East 22nd street is getting better and 23rd is better but 24th has been a problem,” says Pastor Sandra Ben.

This block has three surveillance cameras on it, two of them right above the area where police sources say the shots were fired from.

Police are not releasing what was caught on tape.

“It has happened here before but not to a policeman.”

State Trooper Richard Deskis was standing with four Wilmington officers interviewing a woman about stolen merchandise found in a car, when police sources say four shots were fired from down the road. A bullet hit Trooper Deskis in the right arm.

People living here tell Eyewitness News they’re afraid to go outside. Others are scared to go on camera because they do not want to put themselves at risk.

Pastor Sandra Ben says, “God is with me, we’re not afraid.”

Pastor Sandra Ben works with the community to end violence and clean up these streets. She says Wednesday’s shooting is unacceptable.

“I think the respect level has to change as to why they’re shooting at each other and at an officer.”

Trooper Deskis was taken to Christiana Hospital and was released later Wednesday.

He is now recovering at home.

Delaware state troopers and Wilmington police say they are no known suspects. At this point, there is no known motive and police cannot determine whether the shooting was related to the stolen merchandise incident.